Shloka 17
Chapter 40: Śiva in Kirāta Disguise Tests Arjuna
Mūka-vadha and the Contest
न त्वेतत् सहसा पार्थ मोक्तव्यं पुरुषे क्वचित् । जगद् विनाशयेत् सर्वमल्पतेजसि पातितम्,परंतु कुन्तीकुमार! तुम सहसा किसी पुरुषपर इसका प्रयोग न करना। यदि किसी अल्पशक्ति योद्धापर इसका प्रयोग किया गया तो यह सम्पूर्ण जगत्का नाश कर डालेगा
na tv etat sahasā pārtha moktavyaṃ puruṣe kvacit | jagad vināśayet sarvam alpatejasi pātitam ||
But, O Pārtha, you must never discharge this rashly against any man. If it is unleashed upon one of little spiritual or martial power, it would destroy the entire world.
भव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Immense power must be governed by dharma and restraint. A divine weapon is not to be used impulsively or against an unworthy/weak target, because disproportionate force can cause catastrophic, world-level harm.
Bhava (Śiva) instructs Pārtha (Arjuna) regarding the proper, limited use of a formidable divine weapon, warning that misapplication—especially against one of little tejas—could lead to universal destruction.